Enantioselective Phase-Transfer-Catalyzed Synthesis of Chiral N-Substituted 3,3-Dinitroazetidines by Aza-Michael Reaction

An efficient and highly enantioselective phase-transfer-catalyzed aza-Michael reaction of 3,3-dinitroazetidine, as N-centered nucleophile, to α,β-unsaturated ketones has been achieved using a quinidine-based phase-transfer catalyst (0.5-1 mol %), providing chiral N-substituted 3,3-dinitroazetidines in good yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivities (90-95% ee). This is the first example of the use of azetidines as N-centered nucleophiles in catalytic enantioselective aza-Michael reactions.